Manish Tiwari, the director of Dil Dosti Etc,u00a0tells us why he can't cast Kareena Kapooru00a0 in Issaq, his adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and how Prateik makes the perfect modern-day Romeo

Issaq is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Is a story about opposition to love relevant today?
Absolutely. Romeo and Juliet was written 400 years ago, but itu00a0 still remains relevant. Shakespeare offers all the high emotions and dramatic tension; and we have adapted the story to ensure that it provides a lot for today's audience too. There have been at least two adaptations of Romeo and Juliet in the West, and we have had films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, so I thought of lending the story my take and treatment. Issaq is a hard-hitting, realistic treatment of Romeo and Juliet. Some characters have been added. I am updating a very popular subject.


Prateik plays a modern-day Romeo in Issaq

Why is your Romeo and Juliet adaptation set in Benaras?
Romeo and Juliet came from a feudal background, which may not be applicable in Europe now, but it is in India. And it is nowhere more visible than in the heartland. The second reason is that I know Benaras well, so I could add many more shades. The background allows the basic material to flower well.